Episode 96
An inspection in the snowy landscape of Shisanhyeolhae.
Even though it was a clichéd sight, it had the power to overwhelm those who saw it.
Even more so when you think about the history that one sword of that woman carries.
Dagrak, shut up.
The stopped carriage starts moving again.
The road was white with snow, black with soot, and red with blood. The wheels had a hard time moving on the bumpy road.
And then, bang! I thought it was finally going to stop.
Kieeeek!
It was without warning that a corpse that was not yet dead popped out.
A shadow swooped down on the carriage and the horses trembled in surprise. But Geo didn’t react.
Because I saw the person who moved first.
“… … [The white sunrise flies like a dot of snow.]”
The first ceremony of the Hae-ta-jong.
A white heron’s single dot of snow.
Saaak-!
A quiet and peaceful day.
He lands lightly on the monster’s corpse, split in two. Their eyes meet. In that moment, Geo recalls a famous adjective.
‘A human monster.’
A pure human being, the only one among the top rankers in existence who has not made a ‘covenant’.
The gaze that had been looking at Geo for a moment calmly scanned the group. White breath hovered in the air.
“little…….”
The white bird opened its mouth.
“You’re late.”
A boring woman. A stuffy woman.
However, it is the ideal that all swordsmen dream of and the goal they strive to reach throughout their lives.
The first prosecutor of the Republic of Korea, White Bird.
The origin of most of the martial arts schools and sects in the Korean peninsula is Hae-ta, and the owner and current leader of Hae-ta was that person.
Although all the Celestial Rankers are famous without exception, White Bird and a few others had a slightly different meaning.
Before Kyeonjirok and Twilight debuted, they were one of the Big 3 that were recognized by all as representing Korea (excluding the globally popular Munchkin).
This is how it is expressed overseas.
[The Korean hunter world is a system where three axes, consisting of the veteran, the gentleman, and the actor, maintain balance under one absolute ruler.]
It’s not just about fame. There was more to them than that.
For example, that scene that no one will ever forget.
The memorial service the following year when Hae-ta, which had temporarily closed due to the aftermath of ‘March of Nightmare’, returned with a new leader.
The new owner of “Hae-ta” raised his head after reading the memorial poem.
“I am, ‘Hae-ta’.”
It was a live broadcast watched by the entire nation. Long hair was fluttering against the backdrop of the national flag.
“In front of the proud Taegeukgi.”
Front, and looking straight ahead.
She swore with pure eyes, without any regret or emotion.
“I firmly pledge to devote my body and soul to the stability of my country and people.”
‘White Bird’. It was the moment when the nation remembered that name.
Ten years since its intense first appearance.
Clearly, White Bird is not the strongest hunter. He is neither the most popular nor the most respected.
But if I had to name the most reliable hunter in this country at this point, it would definitely be White Bird.
“Be careful. This side is especially rough.”
Walking ahead and keeping the eyes open, etc.
He was unmoved even by the blizzard that was driving him. He was so upright that the blizzard seemed weak to him.
Geo nodded inwardly, impressed. As expected… … .
‘National Bank Model… … National Pick!’
An icon of trust, a barometer of public favorability. Not just anyone can shoot that house advertisement.
I would say he’s on a different level from Mr. Choi, who only films beer commercials.
Of course, he wasn’t as good as the national pick, Jo-neun, but he was good enough to be called the national prosecutor.
‘X is friendly.’
Isn’t that the very same face that’s on Mrs. Park’s savings account?’
Unlike the three Kyeon siblings who use Kakao Pay or Hunter Pay, thanks to Mrs. Park, who is a loyal customer of the bank, there is nothing she hasn’t seen, from bromides to all kinds of goods.
Bang, bang! A white bird, roughly shaking off its snow, knocked on the gate.
“It’s me. Open it, Whisen.”
“… … It’s not Whisen, it’s Whittle!”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Whiba.”
‘Even the people’s prosecutor can’t be stupid.’
Of course, you are the hope of our country.
Geo looked up at the gate, trying hard to ignore the suspicious scuffle.
A door so shabby that it’s pitiful to look at.
From the pieces of plank that clearly looked like makeshift measures to the soot and other things, there were clear traces of a struggle.
It took a long time to open the door because there were so many things placed in front. Na Jo-yeon asked hesitantly.
“You seem friendly, but how long have you been here, Master?”
The white bird answered calmly.
“About 100 years.”
“……yes?”
“It was pretty long.”
“… … .”
“Excuse me, excuse me? I told you I’m a little late!”
People who are silently shocked.
Even Geo was dropping his chin, but the white bird, who had just turned around, slowly shook its head. This.
“Just kidding. You all lack a sense of humor.”
“… … Let go, let go of this! What the f*ck is the hope of the fatherland!”
“Mr. Geo! You have to be patient!”
“Jo, Jojo Niim, I understand how you feel, but at least look at my face!”
Thud, squeak-.
“White Bird! How many times have I told you that my name is not Whiba… …! Huh?”
The little boy who opened the gate hesitated and stepped back. There were quite a few people behind him. They were all faces I recognized.
Hmm. Geo looked back and forth between the children in the carriage and them. I didn’t know this when I was seven… … .
‘Sure, it feels weird when there are about thirty people with the same face.’
And at the same time, the group entered the gate.
[Scenario Notification ━ Special Zone┃Green Zone: Prosperous Provincial Capital Admiya]
[You have found a ‘Safe Zone’.]
[Awakening confirmed. Safe zone is activated.]
[Time left until deactivation – 00:02:59:58]
… … .
… … ?
yes……?
There was no one to say.
We all looked to one side. We saw a white bird standing there with no expression on its face.
* * *
“Fill your stomach first. The monster wave will start again in four hours.”
That was the only break Babel could give. The white bird sitting in front of the sparks threw something in with a very skilled hand.
“What did you put in it?”
“sweet potato.”
‘This kid… … .’
Have you ever tried it? In winter, sweet potatoes are the national diet. Geo nodded seriously.
“I’d like it well done.”
“It’ll be too dry.”
“Are you a good friend?”
“i get it.”
A white bird that goes into work with materials from a military sweet potato merchant with 30 years of experience.
Meanwhile, Baek Do-hyeon carefully examines his surroundings. From the bonfire on the square floor to the temporary barracks. This is… … .
“… … It’s exhibition mode. You can go to the wall at any time.”
“About seven hundred to one thousand. That’s the number of people coming every day. It’s no different from war.”
The white bird answered calmly and glanced at them.
“But was Babylon’s Supernova originally a member of the raid team? I definitely remember DI’s supporting role… … .”
“Oh, no. We are a rescue team, a sort of follow-up team.”
“Us?”
A blank expression with a slightly puzzled look.
When Baek Do-hyun awkwardly points at Geo and himself, he lets out a short sigh as if he finally realizes.
“Wasn’t that the kid here? I didn’t know.”
“What are you saying to a guy wearing a Nike anorak? You rude piece of shit.”
“Yes, Jojo-sama.”
“I was surprised at how well he spoke modern Korean. But I guess I shouldn’t have been impressed by the excellent Babel translation.”
Hey, what if I realize that now… … ?
When newbies and experienced newbies are caught between the veterans of the celestial world and experience a restless and thorny situation.
However, the white bird doesn’t care and just takes out a ripe sweet potato and hands it to Geo.
“Take it. It seems like it’s been quite some time outside, too. By the time the rescue team arrives.”
“Wow… … Ah, it’s hot! What the f*ck! It’s so fucking hot!”
“Eek, JoJo Niim! Are you okay? I’ll take care of it! Oh, yes. So we need to find the others quickly and finish the raid quickly. If they happen to put their mouths in the river… … ”
“Your hands are so soft that you can’t even hold something hot. Hmm, river water? Are you talking about the Salt River?”
“What’s wrong with my hand!”
“Geo, Mr. Geo! I like Mr. Geo’s hands. Yes. That’s right, Jongju. If you drink even a little bit, you’ll change like that… … .”
‘Please, talk about only one topic at a time, you outsiders.’
The eyes of Wheatle and the citizens who were watching gradually rotted away. Fortunately, the conversation that had been a mess returned to normal before too long.
“You were mistaken.”
It was a resolute denial.
All eyes are on him. The white bird slowly looks away from the sparks.
“The river is not the cause. It will speed up the process if you touch it, but that’s it. If you stay here, you will somehow become like her. Because of the curse that has been placed on this entire country.”
“Her?”
The white bird nodded toward Whittle. It would probably be better to hear this story directly.
Survivor ‘Whittle’.
A homeless person who originally came from humble origins but remembered the most and became the representative of the Admiya survivors. He began to speak calmly.
“Originally, this place, Saint Admiya, was a prosperous summer city. But… … that lover of the salt bridge.”
Whittle’s hand pointed into the distance.
The edge beyond the castle walls.
Now, behind the collapsed castle, there is a bridge connecting the castle and the snow-capped mountain across the river. It was called the ‘Salt Bridge’.
“Everything changed because of a pair of lovers who had a secret meeting right on that bridge.”
Giorsa, daughter of Lord Admiya.
And the knight who swore an immortal oath to her and the thousand-year-old duke of the capital.
The coincidence that occurred while he was visiting Admiya, a famous resort, blossomed into a fate that brought salvation to both of them.
But, for a marriage between a daughter of a country lord and a duke of the capital city to take place, the king’s approval was needed.
The Duke’s absence from the city for only a few days after his departure for the capital city probably did not occur to him that she would leave him so vainly during that short period of time.
The Duke screamed as he held the body of his miserable lover in his arms.
Ugh, aaaah!
The sky split open at the blood-spitting howls, and the earth froze at the cold rage.
The Great Millennium Duke.
The glorious young man, whom everyone feared as having dragon blood, was in fact neither a dragon nor a human being.
The great demon, shedding its skin with eons of rage and hatred, declared.
“I promised her eternity. So this end that I offer on Giorsa’s altar will never end.”
It was the beginning of eternal winter.
“As the heavy snow began, an epidemic like leprosy broke out. Then people started collapsing for no reason, and when the sun went down, the corpses would rise up… … and then.”
People offered all kinds of sacrifices to ask for forgiveness, including a woman who looked just like the lord’s daughter.
The Great Demon laughed coldly.
“Okay. If that’s how you guys remember her, give me a chance.”
Giorsa was seventeen at the time of her death.
All the survivors who survived resembled her in that age and appearance, and they gradually became younger.
It was a curse of death that was not immediately killed by the monster, but rather a more gruesome and slow death.
Crack, crack. The sound of sparks flying.
The background explanation was over. In the silence, the white bird asked.
“How long have you been here?”
A day has passed, so it’s been four days for Geo, two days for Baek Do-hyun, and eight days for Na Jo-yeon.
She nodded. Thank goodness.
“I heard that when outsiders visit this place, things start to change from the 7th day.”
“Huh? It’s been over a week, oh, by any chance… …!”
“Yes. Whatever the reason, it’s the ‘Devil’s’ curse. Perhaps you, the supporting actor, have the power of Holy Spirit, and I have the power of Breaking, so we escaped its influence.”
The roots of 〈Hae-ta〉 are Shinsu and Buddhism.
The White Bird, who possessed both the magical power of a divine beast and the power of the Buddha, was also a person skilled in destroying evil things.
“So the strategy is to just defeat that demon?”
“Huh, what are you talking about!”
Whittle turned pale and flinched at Baek Do-hyun’s challenging question. White Bird shook his head.
“It’s a demon that destroyed a country. Even though it’s the main scenario, the difficulty isn’t that high.”
“then……?”
“Isn’t there an answer to the problem? The answer on the 39th floor is the salt bridge. You have to go there.”
Wheatley hurriedly added.
“The Great Demon has been asleep for years. There is a flower on the altar across the Salt Bridge that the Lord’s daughter gave him… … .”
It was the last mercy, the final oracle given to Saint Admiya.
If you burn that flower, which is like the heart of the Great Demon, the curse will stop.
‘Easy.’
Baek Do-hyeon thought.
It was so simple, contrary to expectations. It was surprising that someone as simple as White Bird couldn’t finish it by now.
And at that very moment, a flash of realization occurred to me.
Monster waves come every four hours. But that’s only when the safe zone is activated. In other words.
‘The monster wave won’t end unless the safe zone turns on. Then this place will be… … .’
It’s falling apart.
Shattered and completely.
“… … Are you saying that you couldn’t move because you were protecting them?”
Silence fell.
The snowstorm is not stopping.
A spark that seemed about to go out but would not go out. The white bird that had been silently looking down at it began to cry.
“When the safe zone is activated, both the degeneration and the monster waves stop for a while. But.”
“The safe zone is only activated when there is an Awakened One.”
It was natural, since it was an area for the protection of the Awakened. The only thing the Tower of Babel cared about was those who climbed the tower.
“To get to the Salt Bridge, you must pass through the city walls. I believed that it would come someday.”
“How, how long have you been waiting like that?”
Na Jo-yeon’s question was so urgent.
‘Gentleman,’ the white bird answered.
“6 years.”
Jianjiao also responded.
“maniac…….”
A guide to proper living for rankers.
